Missed yesterdays post, took a bit too much sun out on the boat, felt a bit overheated, tired, and head-achie and went to bed before 8:00. Did my refresher course yesterday morning then went out for the 11:00 dive. There had been a report of a whale shark near West End and when we got out on the water we could see a number of boats circling around so we headed out about a mile from shore. They were following the whale shark, so most of the divers got their flippers and mask on and got ready to go overboard. We were out in 6 foot swells and being the swimmer that I'm not, I wasn't going overboard. We followed around for about twenty minutes, the guys made one attempt to see him in the water and I think a few of them got a glimpse. We finally gave up and went for our dive. It was a nice first dive although there wasn't anything outstanding to see. I was happy to get back in the water and was pleased with my air usage, etc. On the way back in, we could see the boats still following so we tried again, this time for at least 45 minutes. I saw his shadow in the water a couple of times but that was it. In the afternoon we went up to French Harbour to look for some cheap beach chairs. Hit a whole bunch of furniture stores that I never knew existed here but struck out on beach chairs. Saw some at the side of the road for sale but at that spot there was a horrible traffic snarl as well as a number of heavily armed polica. We would have been the only gringos on the street there, so we passed on that opportunity. Stopped at Plaza Mar in Coxen Hole and found just what we wanted. We must have walked right past them a few days earlier. Got them on sale too. We went for supper at the Splash Inn in West End, intending to hook up with Nanci et al for Music Trivia night at Buena Vida, but I wasn't feeling up to it so we just headed home.
Today however the water experience was a lot better. We headed out on the early dive and saw a couple of boats out circling again. The sea was calm today and as soon as we got out to the boats the captain says he'd right there. Eleven guys jump in off the left side of the boat, I said to hell with that and went off the right side, Put my head in the water and saw nothing but blue. Took a breath through my non-existant snorkel tube that I'd removed for diving, came up with a mouthful of water. Got that cleared out, stuck my face back down and there he was, 10 feet below me. Absolutely awesome to see. Stuck my head up for air and got one more breath worth of viewing time before he moved off and down out of sight. DIdn't have my camera but I'll never forget that one anyway, probably a once in a lifetime sight.
First dive was one of my favourites called Pablo's Place. A lot of current today so we drifted pretty fast. Gorgeous coral and lots of fish. I need to check out my camera because something must be set wrong. My photos are poor although there is some reasonably good video. Had a surface break then went for dive two. Again another pretty dive with the highlight being a Spotted Eagle Ray that swam past us. Lunch at the $5 beach BBQ, then we went for a West End walk to see if we could find Nanci to tell her about tonights reservation (our internet was down this morning) Very hot walk on the street and no Nanci. Got back to the house and emailed her the info. We were both really hot from the walk so we went down for a snorkel. We both saw a nice porcupine fish and then when I was off a bit to myself I saw another Spotted Eagle Ray. I headed after him and got so close that I had to stop kicking or I would have made contact with his tail. Incredible. He headed off sort of towards Eileen so I stuck my head up and yelled for her to take off in his direction fast. Of course I didn't tell her what to look for and unfortunately she didn't see him.
It's Tuesday so you know we went to Tapas and Tunes night at Tranquil Seas with Nanci and her group. The food was great, the music was as good as always, and the six of us had an absolute blast. Eileen and Gerry both have sore ribs from all the laughing. We are anticipating that Catamaran Day is going to be a lot of fun. Fabulous night and an overall great day. Tomorrow; golf day with Gerry and Nanci....
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